AudioCircle
Industry Circles => Salk Signature Sound => Topic started by: ctviggen on 23 Jan 2019, 01:09 pm
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I am having trouble finding a piece of furniture to fit my HT3 center channel. The problem is the thing is massive: the center channel speaker is 23 inches wide, 10 inches tall and 14 inches (at least) deep. I also have the HT3s in a corner and spanning a TV, so the maximum width is 48 inches for the furniture, otherwise it will not fit.
This won't work, as the shelf is only 9 inches high:
https://www.wayfair.com/furniture/pdp/mistana-oyola-48-tv-stand-mitn2365.html
In fact, I cannot find any TV stand that works.
We currently are using our coffee table, and I have angled isolation pads under the speaker to point the speaker upwards. This makes the speaker effectively about 12 inches tall, and the speaker physically goes behind a lip of the top of the coffee table. We want our coffee table back, but I started looking at coffee tables.
This might work:
https://www.wayfair.com/furniture/pdp/gracie-oaks-arundel-coffee-table-grks7918.html
But the distance between the shelf and the bottom of the table top is only about 11 inches according to the questions.
Does anyone have their HT3 center channel in a piece of furniture? If so, what are you using?
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Don't have an HT 3 but have a couple of systems with furniture with center channels. None of what I have is really cheap (Odyssey custom built stand in the main system and Salamander Synergy furniture with a bridge in a back-up system) but there's stuff like (and others too):
https://www.crutchfield.com/p_265C25STND/Revel-C25-Stand.html?awkw=369751086428&awat=pla&awnw=g&awcr=224883154493&awdv=c&awug=9011833&gclid=EAIaIQobChMI0aLsuZSE4AIVlYjICh2AbwHDEAQYBCABEgIzKPD_BwE
https://www.svsound.com/products/ultra-center-stand
https://www.staples.com/monoprice-universal-monitor-riser-stand-116250/product_24299669?cid=PS:GooglePLAs:24299669&ci_src=17588969&ci_sku=24299669&KPID=24299669&gclid=EAIaIQobChMIl-eZpZWE4AIVgbbICh2rNwj1EAQYASABEgKKePD_BwE&akamai-feo=off
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Thanks, Phil. I see based on your recommendations, I need to add more info. (Hmm...too bad I'm at work, or I'd take a picture of the system to help people visualize this.)
I need a stand that both houses the center channel and upon which a 53 inch (I think?) TV will sit. So, I need a piece of furniture with a top, flat surface to hold the TV, and then underneath that, another flat surface to hold the center channel.
I'll see if I can take a picture of the system as it currently is, but that might not be until this weekend.
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Thanks, Phil. I see based on your recommendations, I need to add more info. (Hmm...too bad I'm at work, or I'd take a picture of the system to help people visualize this.)
I need a stand that both houses the center channel and upon which a 53 inch (I think?) TV will sit. So, I need a piece of furniture with a top, flat surface to hold the TV, and then underneath that, another flat surface to hold the center channel.
I'll see if I can take a picture of the system as it currently is, but that might not be until this weekend.
How about buying or building a TV Riser to house the center channel on top of a low height rack or just a stand suggested in front of the rack? Does the rack need to hold audio/video components too? I guess what's the budget too?
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I should add that I had a custom audio rack built (from taking a Baker Road furniture design) for my master bedroom since I needed something of a certain width and depth and for a small TV (I have a 40 inch now - but I mostly use the projector which has a 92 inch screen that folds into the ceiling with the press of a button) and audio components. It wasn't outrageously expensive (I forget exactly how much). I went to an unfinished furniture store which dealt with a bunch of companies.
There's also stuff like:
https://www.hayneedle.com/product/whitewoodmissioncornertvstand.cfm
or plenty of coffee tables like the one in your original post - e.g.
https://www.bellacor.com/productdetail/walker-edison-furniture-co-c46aictro-angle-iron-rustic-wood-coffee-table-rustic-oak-2043193.htm
https://www.bellacor.com/productdetail/steve-silver-company-lu250c-lucia-cocktail-table-brown-1855386.htm
https://www.bellacor.com/productdetail/brighton-hill-titian-rustic-gray-coffee-table-2012362.htm
https://www.bellacor.com/productdetail/brighton-hill-titian-antique-tobacco-coffee-table-2012361.htm
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The other option could be to use an articulating wall mount (assuming the tv is capable of using it) such as - https://www.monoprice.com/product?p_id=12280
and then using one of the center channel stands I noted (or something like them) in my original reply.
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Here's the current system. That's our normal coffee table (which we want back, as we're using the old TV stand, which is too high).
(https://www.audiocircle.com/image.php?id=189509)
This is the old TV stand (Ikea), which is great, but note the lack of space to put the massive HT3 center channel:
(https://www.audiocircle.com/image.php?id=189510)
The problem is that this is in a corner with no way to really put the TV on the wall. Also, the equipment is over to the "right" from the speakers. The speaker wires and HDMI run through the wall, into and across the basement, and to boxes behind the TV. I used super-fancy HDMI cable (Bluejeans? Or fancier?) to run that distance. Still supports 4k though, or at least our Fire TV box says it does and it looks as if it does. Without routing longer wire, I can't really move the TV
I've found a source for high-end, custom TV stands, but I was hoping for something cheaper. The only thing I think will work is a coffee table similar to what we have. The problem is that I have the center speaker on a cushion that's pointed upward. I'd like to point it upward even more, but coffee tables really aren't made for this purpose, and the speaker is so big it's currently about 12 inches high with the pad. I'm finding it difficult to find coffee tables that fit that, let alone another inch or so.
And it would be nice to store some stuff, but a coffee table isn't meant for that. I also wouldn't mind "hiding" the center channel, but again coffee tables aren't meant for that.
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That Brighton Hill Titian Antique Tobacco Coffee Table would work. I just measured the HT3 center channel plus pad, and it's just under 12 inches high. The description for that coffee table implies there are 12 inches between the bottom shelf and I think the top shelf? (Whatever "interior dimensions" are.)
It might be a bit strange, as the table is 44 inches wide. The tables that are in the pictures above are 48 inches wide.
Thanks for the links. I'll talk with the wife, and we'll order something this weekend.
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Why do you believe there's no way to mount the TV on the wall (unless that is just a preference)?
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=cfwRJpzlzw4
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This is the old TV stand (Ikea), which is great, but note the lack of space to put the massive HT3 center channel:
(https://www.audiocircle.com/image.php?id=189510)
If I were you, I’d gut that IKEA table you have and refinish the inside to match (‘cuz I’m Frugal :lol: )
I’m sure it’ll come apart (some pieces might be glued, but watch some YouTube videos).
You might have to reinforce the top with a thin strip of oak, or something similar (to act as a beam). I don’t know what your handyman skills are, but I don’t think it’s too difficult of a project.
JD
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The problem is the size of the center channel. If one wanted something unfinished to finish in the same finish as the speakers, there's always stuff like:
https://www.amazon.com/International-Concepts-OT-44-Portman-Unfinished/dp/B003G2ZLV2?ref_=fsclp_pl_dp_3
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Again - don't know what the budget is but I do know about having things to fit large center channels. Before I moved into the new house, I had Odyssey Audio make me a custom AV stand to my specs and my measurements finished in the veneer of my choice (below pic was before I had the components in and I them do matching surround speaker stands too). My rack weighs 350 lbs.
(https://www.audiocircle.com/image.php?id=88241)
(https://www.audiocircle.com/image.php?id=100523)
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If one doesn't mind DIY, four threaded rods (e.g. https://www.lowes.com/pd/Hillman-0-75-in-x-24-in-Standard-SAE-Threaded-Rod/3128231) and bolts and (two) unfinished sturdy wood shelves (which one can do in the finish of their choice) is reasonable and extremely sturdy and the only skills required are drilling holes, finishing the wood and getting the shelves level (there are various plans online as well - e.g. http://mullarea.com/Flex-Rack-Project.html).
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Salamander also has a design your own feature and sells threaded rods too.
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Just to be clear, by “refinish the inside to match”, I mean to match the rest of the table... not the speakers.
After removing the wood supports that were attached and other fasteners, etc. that were connected, there will probably be a void of the stain that was used. Fortunately, the dark finish on this table will make the matching process easier.
After looking at it again, I think you could easily modify it to accommodate the other pieces of equipment too... I’m happy to give you more guidance on this if you want, just send me a pm
JD
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We had a similar issue with trying to find a home for the SS7C. We had a number of limitations/constraints on placement and furniture, and needed a place for the 65" plasma.
The end solution was to draw up a workable design with weight limits and specs, take it down to my local welding shop and have them build out a nice aluminum frame. Had that powder coated, added some nice thick maple butcher block shelves, and some industrial ball casters. It's worked out well.
Turned out to be way cheaper than most of the commercial solutions and incredibly sturdy.
(https://www.audiocircle.com/image.php?id=189610)
- Ben
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We had a similar issue with trying to find a home for the SS7C. We had a number of limitations/constraints on placement and furniture, and needed a place for the 65" plasma.
The end solution was to draw up a workable design with weight limits and specs, take it down to my local welding shop and have them build out a nice aluminum frame. Had that powder coated, added some nice thick maple butcher block shelves, and some industrial ball casters. It's worked out well.
Turned out to be way cheaper than most of the commercial solutions and incredibly sturdy.
(https://www.audiocircle.com/image.php?id=189610)
- Ben
Looks like a slightly more industrial design but similar to Steve Blinn racks:
https://www.usaudiomart.com/details/649282568-steve-blinn-designs-audio-racks-black-anodized-finish-solid-maple-shelves/images/1259493/
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As noted above, Salamander has a design your own feature: https://www.salamanderdesigns.com/design-your-own/
One can get a threaded rod design (similar to this - https://www.salamanderdesigns.com/modular-open-stands/ and get two shelves with enough width and depth for your needs.
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Those are some good options. We ended up with a coffee table recommended originally by Phil above. Here it is, I just put it together and in place this morning:
(https://www.audiocircle.com/image.php?id=189888)
This was a tough time, so I did not want to take the time to do anything that took too much of my time. As it was, my Linns were working, and I decided to add a center channel, so I had to cut a box into the wall behind the TV, run the cable from the system to behind the TV, then since I was doing that, I also ran AC to behind the system, rearranged everything, and my dang RF/IR remote died after 10+ years of use. So, I had to buy another RF/IR remote and configure that. I'm still configuring it. And I installed a fan into the system so that the computer that's in there would not overheat. I'll take more pictures.
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Here's the system, which is on the opposite wall from the TV:
(https://www.audiocircle.com/image.php?id=189889)
Upper right corner has the charger and RF receiver/IR transmitter for the new Logitech Elite remote to replace my 10+ year old URC remote. Middle: power station, bluray player, Marantz receiver, 2-channel front r/l amp. Left: HT computer, Fire TV, Squeezebox, center channel amplifier.
This is the fan I installed to help cool the HT computer and center channel amplifier:
(https://www.audiocircle.com/image.php?id=189890)
These are the massive number of power and wires behind the system:
(https://www.audiocircle.com/image.php?id=189891)
I added two sets of AC receptacles, changed one AC receptacle to be Insteon so I could control the lamp and something else, ran the center channel wire, etc. It took me several weekends, then I had a dickens of a time programming the remote. My HT computer does not have bluetooth, and the Logitech Elite demands bluetooth to work with a computer. I found a work-around, but it took a while. The remote still needs work, but that's the way these are -- several weeks of programming, then you don't touch the programming for years.
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Oops, that should say "my Linns WEREN'T working". That's what started me down this road. And then my remote must have known what was happening and decided to die.
Oh, and then the Marantz receiver started losing all its programming. I had to reset the wireless, reconfigure the wireless, save the settings, totally reset the Marantz, and redo the settings.
When it rains, it pours.
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Why do you believe there's no way to mount the TV on the wall (unless that is just a preference)?
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=cfwRJpzlzw4
I would have to rerun my HDMI cable to the location on the wall. Currently, the cable runs at least 20 feet, from a box on the wall near the system, to a box behind the TV. I would have to then run it up the wall another say 5 feet. That would mean I'd have to buy a longer HDMI cable, and the nice ones of those are expensive. I think I bought either 20 or 25 feet of BJC Series-1 Belden Bonded-Pair HDMI Cable from here:
https://www.bluejeanscable.com/store/hdmi-cables/hdmi-cable.htm
To add another 5 feet, I'm looking at close to $100. And then I have to add the articulating mount, put in a box and route electrical, and my TV is backlit. That is, I have a backlit LED system on it, which turns on using the USB port, so that also needs electrical. I'd also have to buy another HDMI cable from the new box to the TV, as the one I have now is pretty long (and also about $25 or so).
So, I'm not against it, it's just a lot of work and cost. At least a day to install, and that doesn't include figuring out what I have now, ordering new materials, etc.
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Glad you got something that works for you. AV furniture is tough as one most adapt it to the room. In my old house, I finished the basement myself (subbed out some of the work) and was able to build a custom spot for the (Target) rack (recessed into the unfinished part) and other features.
(https://www.audiocircle.com/image.php?id=43103)
(https://www.audiocircle.com/image.php?id=43104)
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I had to build my own... put a slight angle on it and some dampeners between the speaker box and furniture.
Maybe repurpose something... looks like you figured it out.👍